How to Store Polyurethane Sealant

How to Store Polyurethane Sealant
Temperature Control:

Optimal Range: The ideal storage temperature is 5°C to 25°C (41°F to 77°F).

Avoid High Temperatures: Temperatures above 30°C (86°F) significantly accelerate chemical reactions, resulting in:

Increased viscosity (thickening or even clumping).

Premature curing (hardening inside the tube).

Reduced shelf life.

Avoid Freezing: Temperatures below 0°C (32°F) may cause:

Colloid crystallization or separation.

Inability to fully restore original properties after returning to room temperature (e.g., viscosity changes, poor curing).

Brittlement and cracking of packaging (especially plastic tubes or cores).

Stability: The storage environment should be kept as stable as possible, avoiding extreme temperature fluctuations.

Humidity Control:

Keep dry: Polyurethane sealants are extremely sensitive to moisture, which is a key factor in initiating their curing. The storage environment should maintain low humidity.

Sealed Packaging: This is crucial! Unused adhesive must be tightly sealed:

Tubes: Immediately tighten the original plastic cap tightly with the original seal. If the original cap is missing or not sealing properly, wrap the tube tightly with tape or place a small plastic bag in a secure bag.

Sausage Packaging: After cutting, immediately secure the open end with a special plastic clip or a large, strong clamp to ensure a complete seal. It’s best to cover the seal with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Buckets: After opening, immediately replace the inner cap and securely close the outer lid. Reseal the container as soon as possible after removing the adhesive.

Avoid contact with moisture: Store away from water sources, steam pipes, damp basements, etc.

Packaging Condition:

Unopened: Keep the original factory-sealed packaging intact and store in an environment that meets the required temperature and humidity.

Opened: As mentioned above, tight sealing is paramount. Even if only a small amount has been used, the remaining portion must be properly sealed immediately.

Protect from light:

Avoid direct sunlight: Ultraviolet rays accelerate the aging of polyurethane and affect its performance. Store in a dark cabinet, drawer, or box.

Avoid strong light: Even strong indoor light sources should be avoided as much as possible.

Storage Location:

Upright Storage: Tubes and sausage packaging should be stored upright (with the nozzle/opening facing upward) to prevent the fluid from flowing toward the opening due to gravity, making it difficult to seal or causing curing blockage.

Standing Storage: Drums should be stored stably and avoid tilting or inverting to prevent the inner cap from shifting and causing seal failure.

Shelf Life and First-in-First-out:

Pay attention to the shelf life: Polyurethane sealants typically have a clear expiration date (usually ranging from 9 months to 2 years from the production date; refer to the product label for details). Use within the expiration date.

First-in-First-out: Follow the “first-in-first-out” principle, prioritizing the earliest purchased or produced batches.

Safety and Isolation:

Keep away from children and pets.

Keep away from sources of fire, heat, and open flames.

Avoid mixing with strong acids, strong bases, organic solvents, and other chemicals to prevent unexpected reactions or packaging corrosion.